Real estate, business professionals and government leaders were roundly upbeat in discussing Newark’s economy during a confab staged by the Newark Regional Business Partnership Monday at the Best Western Robert Treat Hotel.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship is the epitome of a money machine. The annual extravaganza known as March Madness, which tipped off at arenas across the U.S. on March 15, generates billions upon billions of dollars from myriad revenue streams including corporate sponsorships, television rights, fees and travel, and hospitality, to name but a few.